Annerousedherselffromherreveriewithahappysigh。
\"Iwasthinkingoutmystory，Diana。\"
\"Oh，haveyoureallybegunit？\"criedDiana，allalightwitheagerinterestinamoment。
\"Yes，Ihaveonlyafewpageswritten，butIhaveitallprettywellthoughtout。I’vehadsuchatimetogetasuitableplot。
NoneoftheplotsthatsuggestedthemselvessuitedagirlnamedAVERIL。\"
\"Couldn’tyouhavechangedhername？\"
\"No，thethingwasimpossible。Itriedto，butIcouldn’tdoit，anymorethanIcouldchangeyours。AVERILwassorealtomethatnomatterwhatothernameItriedtogiveherIjustthoughtofherasAVERILbehinditall。ButfinallyIgotaplotthatmatchedher。Thencametheexcitementofchoosingnamesforallmycharacters。Youhavenoideahowfascinatingthatis。
I’velainawakeforhoursthinkingoverthosenames。Thehero’snameisPERCEVALDALRYMPLE。\"
\"HaveyounamedALLthecharacters？\"askedDianawistfully。\"Ifyouhadn’tIwasgoingtoaskyoutoletmenameone——justsomeunimportantperson。I’dfeelasifIhadashareinthestorythen。\"
\"YoumaynamethelittlehiredboywholivedwiththeLESTERS，\"
concededAnne。\"Heisnotveryimportant，butheistheonlyoneleftunnamed。\"
\"CallhimRAYMONDFITZOSBORNE，\"suggestedDiana，whohadastoreofsuchnameslaidawayinhermemory，relicsoftheold\"StoryClub，\"whichsheandAnneandJaneAndrewsandRubyGillishadhadintheirschooldays。
Anneshookherheaddoubtfully。
\"I’mafraidthatistooaristocraticanameforachoreboy，Diana。Icouldn’timagineaFitzosbornefeedingpigsandpickingupchips，couldyou？\"
Dianadidn’tseewhy，ifyouhadanimaginationatall，youcouldn’tstretchittothatextent；butprobablyAnneknewbest，andthechoreboywasfinallychristenedROBERTRAY，tobecalledBOBBYshouldoccasionrequire。
\"Howmuchdoyousupposeyou’llgetforit？\"askedDiana。
ButAnnehadnotthoughtaboutthisatall。Shewasinpursuitoffame，notfilthylucre，andherliterarydreamswereasyetuntaintedbymercenaryconsiderations。
\"You’llletmereadit，won’tyou？\"pleadedDiana。
\"WhenitisfinishedI’llreadittoyouandMr。Harrison，andI
shallwantyoutocriticizeitSEVERELY。Nooneelseshallseeituntilitispublished。\"
\"Howareyougoingtoendit——happilyorunhappily？\"
\"I’mnotsure。I’dlikeittoendunhappily，becausethatwouldbesomuchmoreromantic。ButIunderstandeditorshaveaprejudiceagainstsadendings。IheardProfessorHamiltonsayoncethatnobodybutageniusshouldtrytowriteanunhappyending。
And，\"concludedAnnemodestly，\"I’manythingbutagenius。\"
\"OhIlikehappyendingsbest。You’dbetterlethimmarryher，\"
saidDiana，who，especiallysinceherengagementtoFred，thoughtthiswashoweverystoryshouldend。
\"Butyouliketocryoverstories？\"
\"Oh，yes，inthemiddleofthem。ButIlikeeverythingtocomerightatlast。\"
\"Imusthaveonepatheticsceneinit，\"saidAnnethoughtfully。
\"ImightletROBERTRAYbeinjuredinanaccidentandhaveadeathscene。\"
\"No，youmustn’tkillBOBBYoff，\"declaredDiana，laughing。
\"HebelongstomeandIwanthimtoliveandflourish。Killsomebodyelseifyouhaveto。\"
ForthenextfortnightAnnewrithedorreveled，accordingtomood，inherliterarypursuits。Nowshewouldbejubilantoverabrilliantidea，nowdespairingbecausesomecontrarycharacterwouldNOTbehaveproperly。Dianacouldnotunderstandthis。
\"MAKEthemdoasyouwantthemto，\"shesaid。
\"Ican’t，\"mournedAnne。\"Averilissuchanunmanageableheroine。
SheWILLdoandsaythingsInevermeantherto。ThenthatspoilseverythingthatwentbeforeandIhavetowriteitalloveragain。\"
Finally，however，thestorywasfinished，andAnnereadittoDianaintheseclusionoftheporchgable。Shehadachievedher\"patheticscene\"withoutsacrificingROBERTRAY，andshekeptawatchfuleyeonDianaasshereadit。Dianarosetotheoccasionandcriedproperly；but，whentheendcame，shelookedalittledisappointed。
\"WhydidyoukillMAURICELENNOX？\"sheaskedreproachfully。
\"Hewasthevillain，\"protestedAnne。\"Hehadtobepunished。\"
\"Ilikehimbestofthemall，\"saidunreasonableDiana。
\"Well，he’sdead，andhe’llhavetostaydead，\"saidAnne，ratherresentfully。\"IfIhadlethimlivehe’dhavegoneonpersecutingAVERILandPERCEVAL。\"
\"Yes——unlessyouhadreformedhim。\"
\"Thatwouldn’thavebeenromantic，and，besides，itwouldhavemadethestorytoolong。\"
\"Well，anyway，it’saperfectlyelegantstory，Anne，andwillmakeyoufamous，ofthatI’msure。Haveyougotatitleforit？\"
\"Oh，Idecidedonthetitlelongago。IcallitAVERIL’S
ATONEMENT。Doesn’tthatsoundniceandalliterative？Now，Diana，tellmecandidly，doyouseeanyfaultsinmystory？\"
\"Well，\"hesitatedDiana，\"thatpartwhereAVERILmakesthecakedoesn’tseemtomequiteromanticenoughtomatchtherest。It’sjustwhatanybodymightdo。Heroinesshouldn’tdocooking，_I_think。\"
\"Why，thatiswherethehumorcomesin，andit’soneofthebestpartsofthewholestory，\"saidAnne。Anditmaybestatedthatinthisshewasquiteright。
Dianaprudentlyrefrainedfromanyfurthercriticism，butMr。Harrisonwasmuchhardertoplease。Firsthetoldhertherewasentirelytoomuchdescriptioninthestory。
\"Cutoutallthoseflowerypassages，\"hesaidunfeelingly。
AnnehadanuncomfortableconvictionthatMr。Harrisonwasright，andsheforcedherselftoexpungemostofherbeloveddescriptions，thoughittookthreere-writingsbeforethestorycouldbepruneddowntopleasethefastidiousMr。Harrison。
\"I’veleftoutALLthedescriptionsbutthesunset，\"shesaidatlast。
\"IsimplyCOULDN’Tletitgo。Itwasthebestofthemall。\"
\"Ithasn’tanythingtodowiththestory，\"saidMr。Harrison，\"andyoushouldn’thavelaidthesceneamongrichcitypeople。
Whatdoyouknowofthem？Whydidn’tyoulayitrighthereinAvonlea——changingthename，ofcourse，orelseMrs。RachelLyndewouldprobablythinkshewastheheroine。\"
\"Oh，thatwouldneverhavedone，\"protestedAnne。\"Avonleaisthedearestplaceintheworld，butitisn’tquiteromanticenoughforthesceneofastory。\"
\"Idaresaythere’sbeenmanyaromanceinAvonlea——andmanyatragedy，too，\"saidMr。Harrisondrily。\"Butyourfolksain’tlikerealfolksanywhere。Theytalktoomuchandusetoohigh-flownlanguage。There’soneplacewherethatDALRYMPLEchaptalksevenonfortwopages，andneverletsthegirlgetawordinedgewise。Ifhe’ddonethatinreallifeshe’dhavepitchedhim。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveit，\"saidAnneflatly。Inhersecretsoulshethoughtthatthebeautiful，poeticalthingssaidtoAVERILwouldwinanygirl’sheartcompletely。Besides，itwasgruesometohearofAVERIL，thestately，queen-likeAVERIL，\"pitching\"anyone。
AVERIL\"declinedhersuitors。\"
\"Anyhow，\"resumedthemercilessMr。Harrison，\"Idon’tseewhyMAURICELENNOXdidn’tgether。Hewastwicethemantheotheris。
Hedidbadthings，buthedidthem。Percevalhadn’ttimeforanythingbutmooning。\"
\"Mooning。\"Thatwasevenworsethan\"pitching！\"
\"MAURICELENNOXwasthevillain，\"saidAnneindignantly。
\"Idon’tseewhyeveryonelikeshimbetterthanPERCEVAL。\"
\"Percevalistoogood。He’saggravating。Nexttimeyouwriteaboutaheroputalittlespiceofhumannatureinhim。\"
\"AVERILcouldn’thavemarriedMAURICE。Hewasbad。\"
\"She’dhavereformedhim。Youcanreformaman；youcan’treformajelly-fish，ofcourse。Yourstoryisn’tbad——it’skindofinteresting，I’lladmit。Butyou’retooyoungtowriteastorythatwouldbeworthwhile。Waittenyears。\"
Annemadeuphermindthatthenexttimeshewroteastoryshewouldn’taskanybodytocriticizeit。Itwastoodiscouraging。
ShewouldnotreadthestorytoGilbert，althoughshetoldhimaboutit。
\"Ifitisasuccessyou’llseeitwhenitispublished，Gilbert，butifitisafailurenobodyshalleverseeit。\"
Marillaknewnothingabouttheventure。InimaginationAnnesawherselfreadingastoryoutofamagazinetoMarilla，entrappingherintopraiseofit——forinimaginationallthingsarepossible——andthentriumphantlyannouncingherselftheauthor。
OnedayAnnetooktothePostOfficealong，bulkyenvelope，addressed，withthedelightfulconfidenceofyouthandinexperience，totheverybiggestofthe\"big\"magazines。
DianawasasexcitedoveritasAnneherself。
\"Howlongdoyousupposeitwillbebeforeyouhearfromit？\"
sheasked。
\"Itshouldn’tbelongerthanafortnight。Oh，howhappyandproudIshallbeifitisaccepted！\"
\"Ofcourseitwillbeaccepted，andtheywilllikelyaskyoutosendthemmore。YoumaybeasfamousasMrs。Morgansomeday，Anne，andthenhowproudI’llbeofknowingyou，\"saidDiana，whopossessed，atleast，thestrikingmeritofanunselfishadmirationofthegiftsandgracesofherfriends。
Aweekofdelightfuldreamingfollowed，andthencameabitterawakening。
OneeveningDianafoundAnneintheporchgable，withsuspicious-lookingeyes。Onthetablelayalongenvelopeandacrumpledmanuscript。
\"Anne，yourstoryhasn’tcomeback？\"criedDianaincredulously。
\"Yes，ithas，\"saidAnneshortly。
\"Well，thateditormustbecrazy。Whatreasondidhegive？\"
\"Noreasonatall。Thereisjustaprintedslipsayingthatitwasn’tfoundacceptable。\"
\"Ineverthoughtmuchofthatmagazine，anyway，\"saidDianahotly。
\"ThestoriesinitarenothalfasinterestingasthoseintheCanadianWoman，althoughitcostssomuchmore。Isupposetheeditorisprejudicedagainstanyonewhoisn’taYankee。
Don’tbediscouraged，Anne。RememberhowMrs。Morgan’sstoriescameback。SendyourstotheCanadianWoman。\"
\"IbelieveIwill，\"saidAnne，pluckingupheart。\"AndifitispublishedI’llsendthatAmericaneditoramarkedcopy。ButI’llcutthesunsetout。IbelieveMr。Harrisonwasright。\"
Outcamethesunset；butinspiteofthisheroicmutilationtheeditoroftheCanadianWomansentAveril’sAtonementbacksopromptlythattheindignantDianadeclaredthatitcouldn’thavebeenreadatall，andvowedshewasgoingtostophersubscriptionimmediately。Annetookthissecondrejectionwiththecalmnessofdespair。ShelockedthestoryawayinthegarrettrunkwheretheoldStoryClubtalesreposed；butfirstsheyieldedtoDiana’sentreatiesandgaveheracopy。
\"Thisistheendofmyliteraryambitions，\"shesaidbitterly。
ShenevermentionedthemattertoMr。Harrison，butoneeveningheaskedherbluntlyifherstoryhadbeenaccepted。
\"No，theeditorwouldn’ttakeit，\"sheansweredbriefly。
Mr。Harrisonlookedsidewiseattheflushed，delicateprofile。
\"Well，Isupposeyou’llkeeponwritingthem，\"hesaidencouragingly。
\"No，Ishallnevertrytowriteastoryagain，\"declaredAnne，withthehopelessfinalityofnineteenwhenadoorisshutinitsface。
\"Iwouldn’tgiveupaltogether，\"saidMr。Harrisonreflectively。\"I’dwriteastoryonceinawhile，butIwouldn’tpestereditorswithit。
I’dwriteofpeopleandplaceslikeIknew，andI’dmakemycharacterstalkeverydayEnglish；andI’dletthesunriseandsetintheusualquietwaywithoutmuchfussoverthefact。IfIhadtohavevillainsatall，I’dgivethemachance，Anne——I’dgivethemachance。
Therearesometerriblebadmenintheworld，Isuppose，butyou’dhavetogoalongpiecetofindthem——thoughMrs。Lyndebelieveswe’reallbad。Butmostofushavegotalittledecencysomewhereinus。
Keeponwriting，Anne。\"
\"No。Itwasveryfoolishofmetoattemptit。WhenI’mthroughRedmondI’llsticktoteaching。Icanteach。Ican’twritestories。\"
\"It’llbetimeforyoutobegettingahusbandwhenyou’rethroughRedmond，\"saidMr。Harrison。\"Idon’tbelieveinputtingmarryingofftoolong——likeIdid。\"
Annegotupandmarchedhome。ThereweretimeswhenMr。Harrisonwasreallyintolerable。\"Pitching，\"\"mooning，\"and\"gettingahusband。\"Ow！！
ChapterXIII
TheWayofTransgressorsDavyandDorawerereadyforSundaySchool。Theyweregoingalone，whichdidnotoftenhappen，forMrs。LyndealwaysattendedSundaySchool。
ButMrs。Lyndehadtwistedherankleandwaslame，soshewasstayinghomethismorning。Thetwinswerealsotorepresentthefamilyatchurch，forAnnehadgoneawaytheeveningbeforetospendSundaywithfriendsinCarmody，andMarillahadoneofherheadaches。
Davycamedownstairsslowly。Dorawaswaitinginthehallforhim，havingbeenmadereadybyMrs。Lynde。Davyhadattendedtohisownpreparations。
HehadacentinhispocketfortheSundaySchoolcollection，andafive-centpieceforthechurchcollection；hecarriedhisBibleinonehandandhisSundaySchoolquarterlyintheother；heknewhislessonandhisGoldenTextandhiscatechismquestionperfectly。Hadhenotstudiedthem——perforce——inMrs。Lynde’skitchen，alllastSundayafternoon？Davy，therefore，shouldhavebeeninaplacidframeofmind。Asamatteroffact，despitetextandcatechism，hewasinwardlyasaraveningwolf。
Mrs。LyndelimpedoutofherkitchenashejoinedDora。
\"Areyouclean？\"shedemandedseverely。
\"Yes——allofmethatshows，\"Davyansweredwithadefiantscowl。
Mrs。Rachelsighed。ShehadhersuspicionsaboutDavy’sneckandears。ButsheknewthatifsheattemptedtomakeapersonalexaminationDavywouldlikelytaketohisheelsandshecouldnotpursuehimtoday。
\"Well，besureyoubehaveyourselves，\"shewarnedthem。\"Don’twalkinthedust。Don’tstopintheporchtotalktotheotherchildren。
Don’tsquirmorwriggleinyourplaces。Don’tforgettheGoldenText。
Don’tloseyourcollectionorforgettoputitin。Don’twhisperatprayertime，anddon’tforgettopayattentiontothesermon。\"
Davydeignednoresponse。Hemarchedawaydownthelane，followedbythemeekDora。Buthissoulseethedwithin。
Davyhadsuffered，orthoughthehadsuffered，manythingsatthehandsandtongueofMrs。RachelLyndesinceshehadcometoGreenGables，forMrs。Lyndecouldnotlivewithanybody，whethertheywerenineorninety，withouttryingtobringthemupproperly。
AnditwasonlytheprecedingafternoonthatshehadinterferedtoinfluenceMarillaagainstallowingDavytogofishingwiththeTimothyCottons。Davywasstillboilingoverthis。
AssoonashewasoutofthelaneDavystoppedandtwistedhiscountenanceintosuchanunearthlyandterrificcontortionthatDora，althoughsheknewhisgiftsinthatrespect，washonestlyalarmedlestheshouldneverintheworldbeabletogetitstraightenedoutagain。
\"Darnher，\"explodedDavy。
\"Oh，Davy，don’tswear，\"gaspedDoraindismay。
\"`Darn’isn’tswearing——notrealswearing。AndIdon’tcareifitis，\"retortedDavyrecklessly。
\"Well，ifyouMUSTsaydreadfulwordsdon’tsaythemonSunday，\"pleadedDora。
Davywasasyetfarfromrepentance，butinhissecretsoulhefeltthat，perhaps，hehadgonealittletoofar。
\"I’mgoingtoinventaswearwordofmyown，\"hedeclared。
\"Godwillpunishyouifyoudo，\"saidDorasolemnly。
\"ThenIthinkGodisameanoldscamp，\"retortedDavy。\"Doesn’tHeknowafellowmusthavesomewayof’spressinghisfeelings？\"
\"Davy！！！\"saidDora。SheexpectedthatDavywouldbestruckdowndeadonthespot。Butnothinghappened。
\"Anyway，Iain’tgoingtostandanymoreofMrs。Lynde’sbossing，\"
splutteredDavy。\"AnneandMarillamayhavetherighttobossme，butSHEhasn’t。I’mgoingtodoeverysinglethingshetoldmenottodo。
Youwatchme。\"
Ingrim，deliberatesilence，whileDorawatchedhimwiththefascinationofhorror，Davysteppedoffthegreengrassoftheroadside，ankledeepintothefinedustwhichfourweeksofrainlessweatherhadmadeontheroad，andmarchedalonginit，shufflinghisfeetviciouslyuntilhewasenvelopedinahazycloud。
\"That’sthebeginning，\"heannouncedtriumphantly。\"AndI’mgoingtostopintheporchandtalkaslongasthere’sanybodytheretotalkto。I’mgoingtosquirmandwriggleandwhisper，andI’mgoingtosayIdon’tknowtheGoldenText。AndI’mgoingtothrowawaybothofmycollectionsRIGHTNOW。\"
AndDavyhurledcentandnickeloverMr。Barry’sfencewithfiercedelight。
\"Satanmadeyoudothat，\"saidDorareproachfully。
\"Hedidn’t，\"criedDavyindignantly。\"Ijustthoughtitoutformyself。
AndI’vethoughtofsomethingelse。I’mnotgoingtoSundaySchoolorchurchatall。I’mgoinguptoplaywiththeCottons。Theytoldmeyesterdaytheyweren’tgoingtoSundaySchooltoday，’causetheirmotherwasawayandtherewasnobodytomakethem。Comealong，Dora，we’llhaveagreattime。\"
\"Idon’twanttogo，\"protestedDora。
\"You’vegotto，\"saidDavy。\"Ifyoudon’tcomeI’lltellMarillathatFrankBellkissedyouinschoollastMonday。\"
\"Icouldn’thelpit。Ididn’tknowhewasgoingto，\"criedDora，blushingscarlet。
\"Well，youdidn’tslaphimorseemabitcross，\"retortedDavy。
\"I’lltellherTHAT，too，ifyoudon’tcome。We’lltaketheshortcutupthisfield。\"
\"I’mafraidofthosecows，\"protestedpoorDora，seeingaprospectofescape。
\"Theveryideaofyourbeingscaredofthosecows，\"scoffedDavy。
\"Why，they’rebothyoungerthanyou。\"
\"They’rebigger，\"saidDora。
\"Theywon’thurtyou。Comealong，now。Thisisgreat。WhenI
growupIain’tgoingtobothergoingtochurchatall。I
believeIcangettoheavenbymyself。\"
\"You’llgototheotherplaceifyoubreaktheSabbathday，\"
saidunhappyDora，followinghimsorelyagainstherwill。
ButDavywasnotscared——yet。Hellwasveryfaroff，andthedelightsofafishingexpeditionwiththeCottonswereverynear。
HewishedDorahadmorespunk。Shekeptlookingbackasifsheweregoingtocryeveryminute，andthatspoiledafellow’sfun。
Hanggirls，anyway。Davydidnotsay\"darn\"thistime，eveninthought。
Hewasnotsorry——yet——thathehadsaiditonce，butitmightbeaswellnottotempttheUnknownPowerstoofarononeday。
ThesmallCottonswereplayingintheirbackyard，andhailedDavy’sappearancewithwhoopsofdelight。Pete，Tommy，Adolphus，andMirabelCottonwereallalone。Theirmotherandoldersisterswereaway。DorawasthankfulMirabelwasthere，atleast。
Shehadbeenafraidshewouldbealoneinacrowdofboys。Mirabelwasalmostasbadasaboy——shewassonoisyandsunburnedandreckless。
Butatleastsheworedresses。
\"We’vecometogofishing，\"announcedDavy。
\"Whoop，\"yelledtheCottons。Theyrushedawaytodigwormsatonce，Mirabelleadingthevanwithatincan。Doracouldhavesatdownandcried。Oh，ifonlythathatefulFrankBellhadneverkissedher！
ThenshecouldhavedefiedDavy，andgonetoherbelovedSundaySchool。
Theydarednot，ofcourse，gofishingonthepond，wheretheywouldbeseenbypeoplegoingtochurch。TheyhadtoresorttothebrookinthewoodsbehindtheCottonhouse。Butitwasfulloftrout，andtheyhadaglorioustimethatmorning——atleasttheCottonscertainlyhad，andDavyseemedtohaveit。Notbeingentirelybereftofprudence，hehaddiscardedbootsandstockingsandborrowedTommyCotton’soveralls。Thusaccoutered，bogandmarshandundergrowthhadnoterrorsforhim。Dorawasfranklyandmanifestlymiserable。Shefollowedtheothersintheirperegrinationsfrompooltopool，claspingherBibleandquarterlytightlyandthinkingwithbitternessofsoulofherbelovedclasswheresheshouldbesittingthatverymoment，beforeateachersheadored。Instead，hereshewasroamingthewoodswiththosehalf-wildCottons，tryingtokeepherbootscleanandherprettywhitedressfreefromrentsandstains。MirabelhadofferedtheloanofanapronbutDorahadscornfullyrefused。
ThetroutbitastheyalwaysdoonSundays。Inanhourthetransgressorshadallthefishtheywanted，sotheyreturnedtothehouse，muchtoDora’srelief。Shesatprimlyonahencoopintheyardwhiletheothersplayedanuproariousgameoftag；andthentheyallclimbedtothetopofthepig-houseroofandcuttheirinitialsonthesaddleboard。Theflat-roofedhenhouseandapileofstrawbeneathgaveDavyanotherinspiration。Theyspentasplendidhalfhourclimbingontheroofanddivingoffintothestrawwithwhoopsandyells。
Butevenunlawfulpleasuresmustcometoanend。WhentherumbleofwheelsoverthepondbridgetoldthatpeopleweregoinghomefromchurchDavyknewtheymustgo。HediscardedTommy’soveralls，resumedhisownrightfulattire，andturnedawayfromhisstringoftroutwithasigh。Nousetothinkoftakingthemhome。
\"Well，hadn’tweasplendidtime？\"hedemandeddefiantly，astheywentdownthehillfield。
\"Ihadn’t，\"saidDoraflatly。\"AndIdon’tbelieveyouhad——
really——either，\"sheadded，withaflashofinsightthatwasnottobeexpectedofher。
\"Ihadso，\"criedDavy，butinthevoiceofonewhodothprotesttoomuch。
\"Nowonderyouhadn’t——justsittingtherelikea——likeamule。\"
\"Iain’tgoingto，’sociatewiththeCottons，\"saidDoraloftily。
\"TheCottonsareallright，\"retortedDavy。\"Andtheyhavefarbettertimesthanwehave。Theydojustastheypleaseandsayjustwhattheylikebeforeeverybody。_I_’mgoingtodothat，too，afterthis。\"
\"Therearelotsofthingsyouwouldn’tdaresaybeforeeverybody，\"
averredDora。
\"No，thereisn’t。\"
\"Thereis，too。Wouldyou，\"demandedDoragravely，\"wouldyousay`tomcat’beforetheminister？\"
Thiswasastaggerer。Davywasnotpreparedforsuchaconcreteexampleofthefreedomofspeech。ButonedidnothavetobeconsistentwithDora。
\"Ofcoursenot，\"headmittedsulkily。
\"`Tomcat’isn’taholyword。Iwouldn’tmentionsuchananimalbeforeaministeratall。\"
\"Butifyouhadto？\"persistedDora。
\"I’dcallitaThomaspussy，\"saidDavy。
\"_I_think`gentlemancat’wouldbemorepolite，\"reflectedDora。
\"YOUthinking！\"retortedDavywithwitheringscorn。
Davywasnotfeelingcomfortable，thoughhewouldhavediedbeforeheadmittedittoDora。Nowthattheexhilarationoftruantdelightshaddiedaway，hisconsciencewasbeginningtogivehimsalutarytwinges。Afterall，perhapsitwouldhavebeenbettertohavegonetoSundaySchoolandchurch。Mrs。Lyndemightbebossy；buttherewasalwaysaboxofcookiesinherkitchencupboardandshewasnotstingy。AtthisinconvenientmomentDavyrememberedthatwhenhehadtornhisnewschoolpantstheweekbefore，Mrs。LyndehadmendedthembeautifullyandneversaidawordtoMarillaaboutthem。
ButDavy’scupofiniquitywasnotyetfull。Hewastodiscoverthatonesindemandsanothertocoverit。TheyhaddinnerwithMrs。Lyndethatday，andthefirstthingsheaskedDavywas，\"WereallyourclassinSundaySchooltoday？\"
\"Yes’m，\"saidDavywithagulp。\"Allwerethere——’ceptone。\"
\"DidyousayyourGoldenTextandcatechism？\"
\"Yes’m。\"
\"Didyouputyourcollectionin？\"
\"Yes’m。\"
\"WasMrs。MalcolmMacPhersoninchurch？\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"This，atleast，wasthetruth，thoughtwretchedDavy。
\"WastheLadies’Aidannouncedfornextweek？\"
\"Yes’m\"——quakingly。
\"Wasprayer-meeting？\"
\"I——Idon’tknow。\"
\"YOUshouldknow。Youshouldlistenmoreattentivelytotheannouncements。
WhatwasMr。Harvey’stext？\"
Davytookafranticgulpofwaterandswalloweditandthelastprotestofconsciencetogether。HegliblyrecitedanoldGoldenTextlearnedseveralweeksago。FortunatelyMrs。Lyndenowstoppedquestioninghim；butDavydidnotenjoyhisdinner。
Hecouldonlyeatonehelpingofpudding。
\"What’sthematterwithyou？\"demandedjustlyastonishedMrs。Lynde。
\"Areyousick？\"
\"No，\"mutteredDavy。
\"Youlookpale。You’dbetterkeepoutofthesunthisafternoon，\"
admonishedMrs。Lynde。
\"DoyouknowhowmanyliesyoutoldMrs。Lynde？\"askedDorareproachfully，assoonastheywerealoneafterdinner。
Davy，goadedtodesperation，turnedfiercely。
\"Idon’tknowandIdon’tcare，\"hesaid。\"Youjustshutup，DoraKeith。\"
ThenpoorDavybetookhimselftoasecludedretreatbehindthewoodpiletothinkoverthewayoftransgressors。
GreenGableswaswrappedindarknessandsilencewhenAnnereachedhome。Shelostnotimegoingtobed，forshewasverytiredandsleepy。TherehadbeenseveralAvonleajollificationstheprecedingweek，involvingratherlatehours。Anne’sheadwashardlyonherpillowbeforeshewashalfasleep；butjustthenherdoorwassoftlyopenedandapleadingvoicesaid，\"Anne。\"
Annesatupdrowsily。
\"Davy，isthatyou？Whatisthematter？\"
Awhite-cladfigureflungitselfacrossthefloorandontothebed。
\"Anne，\"sobbedDavy，gettinghisarmsaboutherneck。\"I’mawfulgladyou’rehome。Icouldn’tgotosleeptillI’dtoldsomebody。\"
\"Toldsomebodywhat？\"
\"Howmis’rubulIam。\"
\"Whyareyoumiserable，dear？\"
\"’CauseIwassobadtoday，Anne。Oh，Iwasawfulbad——
badder’nI’veeverbeenyet。\"
\"Whatdidyoudo？\"
\"Oh，I’mafraidtotellyou。You’llneverlikemeagain，Anne。
Icouldn’tsaymyprayerstonight。Icouldn’ttellGodwhatI’ddone。Iwas’shamedtohaveHimknow。\"
\"ButHeknewanyway，Davy。\"
\"That’swhatDorasaid。ButIthoughtp’rapsHemightn’thavenoticedjustatthetime。Anyway，I’drathertellyoufirst。\"
\"WHATisityoudid？\"
Outitallcameinarush。
\"IrunawayfromSundaySchool——andwentfishingwiththeCottons——andItoldeversomanywhopperstoMrs。Lynde——oh！
’mosthalfadozen——and——and——I——Isaidaswearword，Anne——aprettynearswearword，anyhow——andIcalledGodnames。\"
Therewassilence。Davydidn’tknowwhattomakeofit。WasAnnesoshockedthatsheneverwouldspeaktohimagain？
\"Anne，whatareyougoingtodotome？\"hewhispered。
\"Nothing，dear。You’vebeenpunishedalready，Ithink。\"
\"No，Ihaven’t。Nothing’sbeendonetome。\"
\"You’vebeenveryunhappyeversinceyoudidwrong，haven’tyou？\"
\"Youbet！\"saidDavyemphatically。
\"Thatwasyourconsciencepunishingyou，Davy。\"
\"What’smyconscience？Iwanttoknow。\"
\"It’ssomethinginyou，Davy，thatalwaystellsyouwhenyouaredoingwrongandmakesyouunhappyifyoupersistindoingit。
Haven’tyounoticedthat？\"
\"Yes，butIdidn’tknowwhatitwas。IwishIdidn’thaveit。
I’dhavelotsmorefun。Whereismyconscience，Anne？Iwanttoknow。
Isitinmystomach？\"
\"No，it’sinyoursoul，\"answeredAnne，thankfulforthedarkness，sincegravitymustbepreservedinseriousmatters。
\"Is’poseIcan’tgetclearofitthen，\"saidDavywithasigh。
\"AreyougoingtotellMarillaandMrs。Lyndeonme，Anne？\"
\"No，dear，I’mnotgoingtotellanyone。Youaresorryyouwerenaughty，aren’tyou？\"
\"Youbet！\"
\"Andyou’llneverbebadlikethatagain。\"
\"No，but——\"addedDavycautiously，\"Imightbebadsomeotherway。\"
\"Youwon’tsaynaughtywords，orrunawayonSundays，ortellfalsehoodstocoverupyoursins？\"
\"No。Itdoesn’tpay，\"saidDavy。
\"Well，Davy，justtellGodyouaresorryandaskHimtoforgiveyou。\"
\"HaveYOUforgivenme，Anne？\"
\"Yes，dear。\"
\"Then，\"saidDavyjoyously，\"Idon’tcaremuchwhetherGoddoesornot。\"
\"Davy！\"
\"Oh——I’llaskHim——I’llaskHim，\"saidDavyquickly，scramblingoffthebed，convincedbyAnne’stonethathemusthavesaidsomethingdreadful。\"Idon’tmindaskingHim，Anne——
Please，God，I’mawfulsorryIbehavedbadtodayandI’lltrytobegoodonSundaysalwaysandpleaseforgiveme——
Therenow，Anne。\"
\"Well，now，runofftobedlikeagoodboy。\"
\"Allright。Say，Idon’tfeelmis’rubulanymore。Ifeelfine。
Goodnight。\"
\"Goodnight。\"
Anneslippeddownonherpillowswithasighofrelief。Oh——
howsleepy——shewas！Inanothersecond——
\"Anne！\"Davywasbackagainbyherbed。Annedraggedhereyesopen。
\"Whatisitnow，dear？\"sheasked，tryingtokeepanoteofimpatienceoutofhervoice。
\"Anne，haveyouevernoticedhowMr。Harrisonspits？Doyous’pose，ifIpracticehard，Icanlearntospitjustlikehim？\"
Annesatup。
\"DavyKeith，\"shesaid，\"gostraighttoyourbedanddon’tletmecatchyououtofitagaintonight！Go，now！\"
Davywent，andstoodnotupontheorderofhisgoing。
ChapterXIV
TheSummonsAnnewassittingwithRubyGillisintheGillis’gardenafterthedayhadcreptlingeringlythroughitandwasgone。Ithadbeenawarm，smokysummerafternoon。Theworldwasinasplendorofout-flowering。
Theidlevalleyswerefullofhazes。Thewoodwayswereprankedwithshadowsandthefieldswiththepurpleoftheasters。
AnnehadgivenupamoonlightdrivetotheWhiteSandsbeachthatshemightspendtheeveningwithRuby。Shehadsospentmanyeveningsthatsummer，althoughsheoftenwonderedwhatgooditdidanyone，andsometimeswenthomedecidingthatshecouldnotgoagain。
Rubygrewpalerasthesummerwaned；theWhiteSandsschoolwasgivenup——\"herfatherthoughtitbetterthatsheshouldn’tteachtillNewYear’s\"——andthefancyworkshelovedoftenerandoftenerfellfromhandsgrowntoowearyforit。Butshewasalwaysgay，alwayshopeful，alwayschatteringandwhisperingofherbeaux，andtheirrivalriesanddespairs。ItwasthisthatmadeAnne’svisitshardforher。Whathadoncebeensillyoramusingwasgruesome，now；itwasdeathpeeringthroughawilfulmaskoflife。YetRubyseemedtoclingtoher，andneverlethergountilshehadpromisedtocomeagainsoon。Mrs。LyndegrumbledaboutAnne’sfrequentvisits，anddeclaredshewouldcatchconsumption；evenMarillawasdubious。
\"EverytimeyougotoseeRubyyoucomehomelookingtiredout，\"
shesaid。
\"It’ssoverysadanddreadful，\"saidAnneinalowtone。\"Rubydoesn’tseemtorealizeherconditionintheleast。AndyetI
somehowfeelsheneedshelp——cravesit——andIwanttogiveittoherandcan’t。AllthetimeI’mwithherIfeelasifIwerewatchingherstrugglewithaninvisiblefoe——tryingtopushitbackwithsuchfeebleresistanceasshehas。ThatiswhyIcomehometired。\"
ButtonightAnnedidnotfeelthissokeenly。Rubywasstrangelyquiet。Shesaidnotawordaboutpartiesanddrivesanddressesand\"fellows。\"Shelayinthehammock，withheruntouchedworkbesideher，andawhiteshawlwrappedaboutherthinshoulders。
Herlongyellowbraidsofhair——howAnnehadenviedthosebeautifulbraidsinoldschooldays！——layoneithersideofher。
Shehadtakenthepinsout——theymadeherheadache，shesaid。
Thehecticflushwasgoneforthetime，leavingherpaleandchildlike。
Themoonroseinthesilverysky，empearlingthecloudsaroundher。Below，thepondshimmeredinitshazyradiance。
JustbeyondtheGillishomesteadwasthechurch，withtheoldgraveyardbesideit。Themoonlightshoneonthewhitestones，bringingthemoutinclear-cutreliefagainstthedarktreesbehind。
\"Howstrangethegraveyardlooksbymoonlight！\"saidRubysuddenly。
\"Howghostly！\"sheshuddered。\"Anne，itwon’tbelongnowbeforeI’llbelyingoverthere。YouandDianaandalltherestwillbegoingabout，fulloflife——andI’llbethere——intheoldgraveyard——dead！\"
ThesurpriseofitbewilderedAnne。Forafewmomentsshecouldnotspeak。
\"Youknowit’sso，don’tyou？\"saidRubyinsistently。
\"Yes，Iknow，\"answeredAnneinalowtone。\"DearRuby，Iknow。\"
\"Everybodyknowsit，\"saidRubybitterly。\"Iknowit——I’veknownitallsummer，thoughIwouldn’tgivein。And，oh，Anne\"——
shereachedoutandcaughtAnne’shandpleadingly，impulsively——\"Idon’twanttodie。I’mAFRAIDtodie。\"
\"Whyshouldyoubeafraid，Ruby？\"askedAnnequietly。
\"Because——because——oh，I’mnotafraidbutthatI’llgotoheaven，Anne。I’machurchmember。But——it’llbeallsodifferent。Ithink——andthink——andIgetsofrightened——
and——and——homesick。Heavenmustbeverybeautiful，ofcourse，theBiblesaysso——but，Anne，ITWON’TBEWHATI’VEBEENUSEDTO。\"
ThroughAnne’sminddriftedanintrusiverecollectionofafunnystoryshehadheardPhilippaGordontell——thestoryofsomeoldmanwhohadsaidverymuchthesamethingabouttheworldtocome。
Ithadsoundedfunnythen——sherememberedhowsheandPriscillahadlaughedoverit。Butitdidnotseemintheleasthumorousnow，comingfromRuby’spale，tremblinglips。
Itwassad，tragic——andtrue！HeavencouldnotbewhatRubyhadbeenusedto。Therehadbeennothinginhergay，frivolouslife，hershallowidealsandaspirations，tofitherforthatgreatchange，ormakethelifetocomeseemtoheranythingbutalienandunrealandundesirable。Annewonderedhelplesslywhatshecouldsaythatwouldhelpher。Couldshesayanything？\"Ithink，Ruby，\"
shebeganhesitatingly——foritwasdifficultforAnnetospeaktoanyoneofthedeepestthoughtsofherheart，orthenewideasthathadvaguelybeguntoshapethemselvesinhermind，concerningthegreatmysteriesoflifehereandhereafter，supersedingheroldchildishconceptions，anditwashardestofalltospeakofthemtosuchasRubyGillis——\"Ithink，perhaps，wehaveverymistakenideasaboutheaven——whatitisandwhatitholdsforus。Idon’tthinkitcanbesoverydifferentfromlifehereasmostpeopleseemtothink。Ibelievewe’lljustgoonliving，agooddealaswelivehere——andbeOURSELVESjustthesame——onlyitwillbeeasiertobegoodandto——followthehighest。Allthehindrancesandperplexitieswillbetakenaway，andweshallseeclearly。Don’tbeafraid，Ruby。\"
\"Ican’thelpit，\"saidRubypitifully。\"Evenifwhatyousayaboutheavenistrue——andyoucan’tbesure——itmaybeonlythatimaginationofyours——itwon’tbeJUSTthesame。ItCAN’Tbe。
IwanttogoonlivingHERE。I’msoyoung，Anne。Ihaven’thadmylife。I’vefoughtsohardtolive——anditisn’tanyuse——Ihavetodie——andleaveEVERYTHINGIcarefor。\"Annesatinapainthatwasalmostintolerable。Shecouldnottellcomfortingfalsehoods；andallthatRubysaidwassohorriblytrue。SheWASleavingeverythingshecaredfor。Shehadlaiduphertreasuresonearthonly；shehadlivedsolelyforthelittlethingsoflife——thethingsthatpass——forgettingthegreatthingsthatgoonwardintoeternity，bridgingthegulfbetweenthetwolivesandmakingofdeathamerepassingfromonedwellingtotheother——fromtwilighttouncloudedday。Godwouldtakecareofherthere——Annebelieved——shewouldlearn——butnowitwasnowonderhersoulclung，inblindhelplessness，totheonlythingssheknewandloved。
Rubyraisedherselfonherarmandliftedupherbright，beautifulblueeyestothemoonlitskies。
\"Iwanttolive，\"shesaid，inatremblingvoice。\"Iwanttolivelikeothergirls。I——Iwanttobemarried，Anne——and——
and——havelittlechildren。YouknowIalwayslovedbabies，Anne。
Icouldn’tsaythistoanyonebutyou。Iknowyouunderstand。
AndthenpoorHerb——he——helovesmeandIlovehim，Anne。
Theothersmeantnothingtome，butHEdoes——andifIcouldliveIwouldbehiswifeandbesohappy。Oh，Anne，it’shard。\"
Rubysankbackonherpillowsandsobbedconvulsively。Annepressedherhandinanagonyofsympathy——silentsympathy，whichperhapshelpedRubymorethanbroken，imperfectwordscouldhavedone；forpresentlyshegrewcalmerandhersobsceased。
\"I’mgladI’vetoldyouthis，Anne，\"shewhispered。\"Ithashelpedmejusttosayitallout。I’vewantedtoallsummer——
everytimeyoucame。Iwantedtotalkitoverwithyou——butICOULDN’T。ItseemedasifitwouldmakedeathsoSUREifI
SAIDIwasgoingtodie，orifanyoneelsesaiditorhintedit。
Iwouldn’tsayit，oreventhinkit。Inthedaytime，whenpeoplewerearoundmeandeverythingwascheerful，itwasn’tsohardtokeepfromthinkingofit。Butinthenight，whenIcouldn’tsleep——itwassodreadful，Anne。Icouldn’tgetawayfromitthen。
Deathjustcameandstaredmeintheface，untilIgotsofrightenedIcouldhavescreamed。
\"Butyouwon’tbefrightenedanymore，Ruby，willyou？You’llbebrave，andbelievethatallisgoingtobewellwithyou。\"
\"I’lltry。I’llthinkoverwhatyouhavesaid，andtrytobelieveit。
Andyou’llcomeupasoftenasyoucan，won’tyou，Anne？\"
\"Yes，dear。\"
\"It——itwon’tbeverylongnow，Anne。Ifeelsureofthat。
AndI’dratherhaveyouthananyoneelse。IalwayslikedyoubestofallthegirlsIwenttoschoolwith。Youwereneverjealous，ormean，likesomeofthemwere。PoorEmWhitewasuptoseemeyesterday。YourememberEmandIweresuchchumsforthreeyearswhenwewenttoschool？Andthenwequarrelledthetimeoftheschoolconcert。We’veneverspokentoeachothersince。Wasn’titsilly？AnythinglikethatseemssillyNOW。
ButEmandImadeuptheoldquarrelyesterday。Shesaidshe’dhavespokenyearsago，onlyshethoughtIwouldn’t。AndIneverspoketoherbecauseIwassureshewouldn’tspeaktome。Isn’titstrangehowpeoplemisunderstandeachother，Anne？\"
\"Mostofthetroubleinlifecomesfrommisunderstanding，Ithink，\"
saidAnne。\"Imustgonow，Ruby。It’sgettinglate——andyoushouldn’tbeoutinthedamp。\"
\"You’llcomeupsoonagain。\"
\"Yes，verysoon。Andifthere’sanythingIcandotohelpyouI’llbesoglad。\"
\"Iknow。YouHAVEhelpedmealready。Nothingseemsquitesodreadfulnow。Goodnight，Anne。\"
\"Goodnight，dear。\"
Annewalkedhomeveryslowlyinthemoonlight。Theeveninghadchangedsomethingforher。Lifeheldadifferentmeaning，adeeperpurpose。Onthesurfaceitwouldgoonjustthesame；butthedeepshadbeenstirred。ItmustnotbewithheraswithpoorbutterflyRuby。Whenshecametotheendofonelifeitmustnotbetofacethenextwiththeshrinkingterrorofsomethingwhollydifferent——somethingforwhichaccustomedthoughtandidealandaspirationhadunfittedher。Thelittlethingsoflife，sweetandexcellentintheirplace，mustnotbethethingslivedfor；
thehighestmustbesoughtandfollowed；thelifeofheavenmustbebegunhereonearth。
Thatgoodnightinthegardenwasforalltime。AnneneversawRubyinlifeagain。ThenextnighttheA。V。I。S。gaveafarewellpartytoJaneAndrewsbeforeherdeparturefortheWest。And，whilelightfeetdancedandbrighteyeslaughedandmerrytongueschattered，therecameasummonstoasoulinAvonleathatmightnotbedisregardedorevaded。ThenextmorningthewordwentfromhousetohousethatRubyGilliswasdead。Shehaddiedinhersleep，painlesslyandcalmly，andonherfacewasasmile——
asif，afterall，deathhadcomeasakindlyfriendtoleadheroverthethreshold，insteadofthegrislyphantomshehaddreaded。
Mrs。RachelLyndesaidemphaticallyafterthefuneralthatRubyGilliswasthehandsomestcorpsesheeverlaideyeson。Herloveliness，asshelay，white-clad，amongthedelicateflowersthatAnnehadplacedabouther，wasrememberedandtalkedofforyearsinAvonlea。Rubyhadalwaysbeenbeautiful；butherbeautyhadbeenoftheearth，earthy；ithadhadacertaininsolentqualityinit，asifitflaunteditselfinthebeholder’seye；
spirithadnevershonethroughit，intellecthadneverrefinedit。
Butdeathhadtoucheditandconsecratedit，bringingoutdelicatemodelingsandpurityofoutlineneverseenbefore——doingwhatlifeandloveandgreatsorrowanddeepwomanhoodjoysmighthavedoneforRuby。Anne，lookingdownthroughamistoftears，atheroldplayfellow，thoughtshesawthefaceGodhadmeantRubytohave，andremembereditsoalways。
Mrs。GilliscalledAnneasideintoavacantroombeforethefuneralprocessionleftthehouse，andgaveherasmallpacket。
\"Iwantyoutohavethis，\"shesobbed。\"Rubywouldhavelikedyoutohaveit。It’stheembroideredcenterpieceshewasworkingat。
Itisn’tquitefinished——theneedleisstickinginitjustwhereherpoorlittlefingersputitthelasttimeshelaiditdown，theafternoonbeforeshedied。\"
\"There’salwaysapieceofunfinishedworkleft，\"saidMrs。Lynde，withtearsinhereyes。\"ButIsupposethere’salwayssomeonetofinishit。\"
\"Howdifficultitistorealizethatonewehavealwaysknowncanreallybedead，\"saidAnne，assheandDianawalkedhome。
\"Rubyisthefirstofourschoolmatestogo。Onebyone，soonerorlater，alltherestofusmustfollow。\"
\"Yes，Isupposeso，\"saidDianauncomfortably。Shedidnotwanttotalkofthat。Shewouldhavepreferredtohavediscussedthedetailsofthefuneral——thesplendidwhitevelvetcasketMr。GillishadinsistedonhavingforRuby——\"theGillisesmustalwaysmakeasplurge，evenatfunerals，\"quothMrs。RachelLynde——HerbSpencer’ssadface，theuncontrolled，hystericgriefofoneofRuby’ssisters——butAnnewouldnottalkofthesethings。
SheseemedwrappedinareverieinwhichDianafeltlonesomelythatshehadneitherlotnorpart。
\"RubyGilliswasagreatgirltolaugh，\"saidDavysuddenly。
\"WillshelaughasmuchinheavenasshedidinAvonlea，Anne？
Iwanttoknow。\"
\"Yes，Ithinkshewill，\"saidAnne。
\"Oh，Anne，\"protestedDiana，witharathershockedsmile。
\"Well，whynot，Diana？\"askedAnneseriously。\"Doyouthinkwe’llneverlaughinheaven？\"
\"Oh——I——Idon’tknow\"flounderedDiana。\"Itdoesn’tseemjustright，somehow。Youknowit’sratherdreadfultolaughinchurch。\"
\"Butheavenwon’tbelikechurch——allthetime，\"saidAnne。
\"Ihopeitain’t，\"saidDavyemphatically。\"IfitisIdon’twanttogo。Churchisawfuldull。Anyway，Idon’tmeantogoforeversolong。Imeantolivetobeahundredyearsold，likeMr。ThomasBlewettofWhiteSands。Hesayshe’slivedsolong’causehealwayssmokedtobaccoanditkilledallthegerms。
CanIsmoketobaccoprettysoon，Anne？\"
\"No，Davy，Ihopeyou’llneverusetobacco，\"saidAnneabsently。
\"What’llyoufeellikeifthegermskillmethen？\"demandedDavy。
ChapterXV
ADreamTurnedUpsideDown\"JustonemoreweekandwegobacktoRedmond，\"saidAnne。
Shewashappyatthethoughtofreturningtowork，classesandRedmondfriends。PleasingvisionswerealsobeingwovenaroundPatty’sPlace。Therewasawarmpleasantsenseofhomeinthethoughtofit，eventhoughshehadneverlivedthere。
Butthesummerhadbeenaveryhappyone，too——atimeofgladlivingwithsummersunsandskies，atimeofkeendelightinwholesomethings；
atimeofrenewinganddeepeningofoldfriendships；atimeinwhichshehadlearnedtolivemorenobly，toworkmorepatiently，toplaymoreheartily。
\"Alllifelessonsarenotlearnedatcollege，\"shethought。
\"Lifeteachesthemeverywhere。\"
Butalas，thefinalweekofthatpleasantvacationwasspoiledforAnne，byoneofthoseimpishhappeningswhicharelikeadreamturnedupsidedown。
\"Beenwritinganymorestorieslately？\"inquiredMr。HarrisongeniallyoneeveningwhenAnnewastakingteawithhimandMrs。Harrison。
\"No，\"answeredAnne，rathercrisply。
\"Well，nooffensemeant。Mrs。HiramSloanetoldmetheotherdaythatabigenvelopeaddressedtotheRollingsReliableBakingPowderCompanyofMontrealhadbeendroppedintothepostofficeboxamonthago，andshesuspicionedthatsomebodywastryingfortheprizethey’dofferedforthebeststorythatintroducedthenameoftheirbakingpowder。Shesaiditwasn’taddressedinyourwriting，butIthoughtmaybeitwasyou。\"
\"Indeed，no！Isawtheprizeoffer，butI’dneverdreamofcompetingforit。Ithinkitwouldbeperfectlydisgracefultowriteastorytoadvertiseabakingpowder。ItwouldbealmostasbadasJudsonParker’spatentmedicinefence。\"
SospakeAnneloftily，littledreamingofthevalleyofhumiliationawaitingher。ThatveryeveningDianapoppedintotheporchgable，bright-eyedandrosycheeked，carryingaletter。
\"Oh，Anne，here’saletterforyou。Iwasattheoffice，soI
thoughtI’dbringitalong。Doopenitquick。IfitiswhatI
believeitisIshalljustbewildwithdelight。\"Anne，puzzled，openedtheletterandglancedoverthetypewrittencontents。
MissAnneShirley，GreenGables，Avonlea，P。E。Island。
\"DEARMADAM:Wehavemuchpleasureininformingyouthatyourcharmingstory`Averil’sAtonement’haswontheprizeoftwenty-fivedollarsofferedinourrecentcompetition。
Weenclosethecheckherewith。WearearrangingforthepublicationofthestoryinseveralprominentCanadiannewspapers，andwealsointendtohaveitprintedinpamphletformfordistributionamongourpatrons。
Thankingyoufortheinterestyouhaveshowninourenterprise，weremain，Yoursverytruly，THEROLLINGSRELIABLE
BAKINGPOWDERCo。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"saidAnne，blankly。
Dianaclappedherhands。
\"Oh，IKNEWitwouldwintheprize——Iwassureofit。
_I_sentyourstoryintothecompetition，Anne。\"
\"Diana——Barry！\"
\"Yes，Idid，\"saidDianagleefully，perchingherselfonthebed。
\"WhenIsawtheofferIthoughtofyourstoryinaminute，andatfirstIthoughtI’daskyoutosenditin。ButthenIwasafraidyouwouldn’t——youhadsolittlefaithleftinit。SoIjustdecidedI’dsendthecopyyougaveme，andsaynothingaboutit。
Then，ifitdidn’twintheprize，you’dneverknowandyouwouldn’tfeelbadlyoverit，becausethestoriesthatfailedwerenottobereturned，andifitdidyou’dhavesuchadelightfulsurprise。\"